MWT - Zion National Park Part 2

Last Tuesday I entered Zion National Park from the East entrance at 5700 feet (1737.36 meters). In 1864 Mormon pioneer Isacc Behunin homesteaded in the canyon and called it Zion, a Hebrew word interpreted as a sanctuary. Zion was designated a national monument in 1909 and is celebrating its centennial.

Checkerboard Mesa
Within a mile I stopped at the first of many overlooks. The horizontal lines are caused by crossbedding, a remnant of ancient sand dunes. The vertical lines formed because of the contraction and expansion of the sandstone.

This Navajo sandstone reaches a thickness of 2200 feet (670.56 meters) and forms the spectacular cliffs in Zion.

I only wish there’d been more places to pull off the road.

First tunnel
The Zion Tunnels were completed in 1930, the longer 1.1 miles (1.77 km) in length with six windows. I fit through the first one with no problem. But...

...the second tunnel cost me $15 to stop traffic and drive straddling the double yellow lines because my camper is over 7’9” (2.36 meters) wide. I wasn’t the only one. And it was rather fun to be in the lead.

The road drops 600 feet (182.88 meters) into Zion Canyon.

I found a place to camp at the South Campground with no problem. In fact it seemed pretty quiet in the park. Took the shuttle up to the Lodge and treated myself to a delicious dinner. Have you ever eaten Quinua (keen-wah)? It’s a grain-like seed from the goosefoot (Chenopodium quinoa). It came with my Navajo Eggplant. Very yummy.

The West Temple and Towers of the Virgin
Wednesday I rode the shuttle up canyon to walk the Virgin River into the Narrows. And I’m going to try to post that tomorrow.

For more glimpses into life around the world, or to share your own, go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

Scenic Sunday - Windmill

On the drive to Zion NP along Utah State Highway 9.

To see more beautiful scenes from around the world, or to share your own, go to Scenic Sunday by clicking here.

International Vulture Awareness Day

California Condor, NPS archive
Some will agree that bald is beautiful. For vultures it makes sense as they eat carrion, dead stuff.
Turkey Vulture
Here at Grand Canyon National Park Turkey Vultures are seen soaring on the canyon thermals all the time. Yet because we also have California Condors (old world vultures) here visitors often think, or wish, that’s what they see.

California Condor, NPS archive
Although both birds are bald the condor has a black ruff of feathers around the neck, sort of like a black feather boa. Condors have a 9.5 foot wingspan while vultures measure 6.5 feet. They are noticeably different in flight when seen from below. The colors are different on the underside leading edge of the wings, which I call the armpit; condors show white and vultures show black with light silvery feathers behind. Also, vulture’s wings are held in a V-shape as they rock back and forth to steer and condor’s wings are straight out with the only motion being the tips of the primary feathers.

Both birds have a special place in the web of the natural world. Check out Silver Fox at Looking for Detachment where I found out about International Vulture Awareness Day. Or click the logo for even more.

Going to Zion National Park

The Beefalo were out near the entrance gate
Left the North Rim just before noon Tuesday under a semi-cloudy sky.

Dropping off the Kaibab Plateau I could barely see the giant cliffs of the Grand Staircase Escalante because of the rain clouds and haze. Smoke actually, from either the LA or Utah fires.

It was still a bit hazy on the drive towards Zion.

Yet improved as I approached the park.

I took soooo many photos this story will have to be stretched out a bit. Keep coming back please.

Sky Watch Friday - Sunset over Zion Canyon

Had a great time at Zion National Park. Just got home and have unpacking, blog reading and 100s of photos to label. Hope to get some posts up about walking the Virgin River into The Narrows, yet have to return to work tomorrow.

To catch more glimpses of skies from around the world, or to share your own, go to Sky Watch Friday by clicking here.

Remember Whensday - X rated me

Hey, I was only 1-year old.

Sally from The (Mis) Adventures of Karl and Sally has started a new meme where the past is remembered through sharing old family photographs and this is #13 (I think). I love the idea and hope you will too. So join the fun by clicking here.

(I’m out of town so won’t be able to add my name to this marvelous meme. Just go there anyway.)

Change of Scenery

Angels Window from Cape Royal Trail
OK, I spent Monday out on the Walhalla Plateau, hung out at several overlooks chatting with visitors and gave a geology and archeology program.

View from Walhalla overlook
It’s beautiful, gorgeous, amazing, outstanding...... But I still need a change of scenery. I have the next three days off and haven’t been off the rim in weeks.

At Walhalla overlook
All day I tossed an imaginary coin between Zion and Bryce National Parks. Louise at Potted Frog really teased me with her recent visit to Bryce. Yet it’s a little cold there at night so I’m going to Zion where it’s very warm and if it rains, who cares.